DICTATOR Kim Jong-un has ordered divorcing couples be sent to a labour camp to atone for their “crimes”.
The North Korean dumpy despot wants both to serve up to six months as a split is seen as “anti-socialist”.
Until recently, only the spouse filing for divorce was punished, even if they were being physically abused, one resident in the secretive nation revealed.
But now, both spouses will face imprisonment once the divorce is finalised.
“I went to the Kimjongsuk County People’s Court … where 12 people received divorce decrees,” a resident of the northern province of Ryanggang, told news site RFA.
“Immediately after the verdict, they were transferred to the county labour training camp.”
The resident said that divorces have increased rapidly since 2020.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire country was locked down and it was very difficult for most families to make a living.
The poor economic conditions led to many marriages falling apart.
To stop married couples from splitting up during this turbulent time, the government began punishing divorcees.
“Until last year, when a couple divorced, only the person who first filed for divorce was sent to a labour training camp,” the resident said.
“Starting this month, all divorced couples will be sent to labour training camps.”
Last year, the state initiated an education campaign to prevent specifically women from getting divorced.
